Minister for European Affairs, Peter Burke TD, will attend a meeting of the General Affairs Council (GAC) in Brussels on Tuesday, 30 May which will focus on preparations for the June European Council to be held 29-30 June.
Ministers will discuss the draft agenda for the June European Council which includes Ukraine/Russia, Economy/Competitiveness, Security and Defence Issues and External Relations. Under the latter item, Leaders will hold an important strategic discussion in June on EU relations with China. There will also be two important Article 7 discussions at the General Affairs Council on the Values of the Union in Hungary and the Rule of Law in Poland.
In advance of the GAC meeting, Minister Burke will attend an informal dinner convened by his French and German counterparts where Ministers will be briefed on the work of the German-French working group of experts on EU institutional reform. The working group, building on the work of the earlier Conference on the Future of Europe, aims to present its recommendations by the Autumn.
Ahead of the meeting, Minister Burke said: “I look forward to discussing with my colleagues preparations for the June European Council which will feature a heavy agenda for EU leaders, including a timely strategic discussion on relations with China and further consideration of how to enhance EU competitiveness where we will again call for taking forward work to develop and complete the Single Market.
“I am also looking forward to being briefed on the work of the Franco-German expert group which has been established to examine possible institutional changes necessary to accommodate future enlargement of the Union. Our strong support for the accession of our Western Balkans partners as well as Ukraine and Moldova once they have completed the necessary reforms is well known and it is timely that the Union now begins to consider what changes may be necessary, whether in institutional or policy terms, to accommodate an enlarged Union.
“The rule of law is integral to the EU, both as a single market and a community of values. Ireland’s strong support for the Article 7 process is well known and I welcome the opportunity to hold further hearings with our Hungarian and Polish partners in order to be updated on progress in advancing respect for the Rule of Law and EU Values in both countries.”
